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A framework for dairy growth: Teagasc supporting dairy farmers
Dr. Tom O’Dwyer
Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc
Presentation Overview
1. Introduction
2. Key Advisory Messages
3. Adviser Numbers and Workload
4. Discussion Groups
5. Service Packages
6. Industry Support:
Joint Programmes
7. The Future?
Teagasc model of knowledge delivery
To support science-based innovation… so as to underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability
Research
Education Advisory
Key Performance Indicators for Resilient Systems
Based on 2012 statistics Current Average
Current Top 10%
Target
Pasture growth (t DM/ha) 6 - 8 10 - 16 12 - 20
Herd EBI (€) 100 140 >200 6 week herd calving rate (%) 55 70* 90
Grass utilisation (t DM/ha) 7.0* 9.0* 14.0 Milk solids (kg/ha) 665 850 1,400
Cows per labour unit (No./ Lb.U) 40 - 80 80 - 100 100 - 150 *estimates based on available information
Why is Grass Utilisation Important?
R2 = 0.42
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16Estimated Grass utilisation t DM/ha
Ne
t p
rofi
t (€
/ha
)
Each additional tonne of DM/ha is worth €161/ha
Pasture grown, t t supplement DM/cow 10 12 14 16
0.25 1.7 2.1 2.4 2.8
0.50 1.8 2.2 2.5 3.0
0.75 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.1
1.00 2.0 2.4 2.9 3.2
1.25 2.1 2.5 3.0 3.4
Identifying the stocking rate for a resilient system
Previous stocking rate studies have highlighted the biologically optimum SR
*All of these stocking rates equate to 85 kg live weight/t feed DM available.
Agronomy: growing more higher quality feed
Currently only 12% of dairy soil samples are of satisfactory status
Correcting soil fertility could increase growth by 1.5 – 2.0 tDM/Ha/year
Improving grazing practices could lift production by 1.0 tDM/Ha/year
-€2,000
-€1,000
€0
€1,000
€2,000
€3,000
€4,000
€5,000
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%Ne
t M
argi
n (
€ p
er
ha)
% Imported Feed
Results – but … big variation between farms
Recruiting the Resilient Dairy Cow
The ‘Essential’ qualifications, skills and behaviors of a resilient dairy cow
Essential Desirable Qualifications High EBI Feed efficient - suited to Feb/March calving higher SR systems Skills One calf per cow per year 4 – 5 lactations High MS production Easy care Behavioural Self motivated - ability to work as part of a larger team Competencies
Results from Next Generation Herd show that ‘Elite’ animals produce more milk solids and have better fertility.
%
Milk Recording 42 Use of Herd Plus 28 Use of AI 82 Use of dry cow therapy to reduce mastitis 98 Use of teat disinfection to reduce mastitis 90 Complete grass covers 17 Complete grass budgets 12 Regular soil testing 66 Use of cash flow budget 13 Use of e-profit monitor 26
Teagasc NFS dairy farms, 2009
Use of Key Dairy Technologies
The Teagasc Farm Business Monitoring System
Adviser Numbers and Workload
Dairy Adviser Workload
•150 clients
•4 – 5 groups
•40 ePM; 10 Bus. Plans
•30 Derogation Plans (‘out-sourced’)
•150 BPS
•1 – 2 public events
•YFS, TAMS, CC
•Client support
Discussion Groups
Established members
New members
Non- members
Technical Performance Indicator
Milk solids per cow: ≥ 378kg 53 49 37
Somatic Cell Count: ≤ 200,000 cells/ml 52 55 23
Concentrate feed per cow: ≤750kg per cow 57 41 39
Financial Performance
Net Margin (€ per litre) 0.145 0.121 0.116
Net Margin per hectare (€) 1,516 1,234 1,050
Source: National Farm Survey, 2011
Service Packages
‘Technology’
• Club package plus one visit or significant consultation • €215 – 340 depending on farm size
‘Technology + Group’
• Adds annual group membership fee • €150
‘Farm Plan’
• Adds one visit plus farm plan preparation • €450
‘Gold’
• Intensive service - 6 x visits or significant consultations • €1,300
Industry Support: Joint Programmes and collaborations
The Future
Teagasc will
• champion ‘sustainable expansion’
• establish a new Dairy Expansion Service
• prioritise education and dairy Advisory Service
• work towards ‘out-sourcing’ non-core work
• seek to leverage existing Joint Programmes and develop new ones
• provide an independent, research backed Advisory Service at a reasonable cost
Two final thoughts
1. Not quite the first opportunity for expansion – farm output has increased five-fold in the last 30 years
2. Excitement is great but sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we need to learn to ride the bicycle before we enter the race. (Simon Sinek)
